Made me think

I'm not telling you it is going to be easy,

I'm telling you it's going to be worth it.

I just saw this quote on FB posted by a friend (Thanks Carrie!).  It made me think and it's only been up for a few minutes (which means not too many deep thoughts), but it made me think about what I consider hard work. I consider some of my goals to be hard and at times, because of this, I kinda feel overwhelmed by them.  I feel like I can't do it.  I have been trying to lose 30 pounds now for several years.  I've been trying to start a photography business for about a year.  

I keep thinking that losing that 30 pounds shouldn't be hard.  I've lost 35 pounds and kept it off.  The next 20 have been a yo-yo, and those last 30 are what get me.  I think that it shouldn't be so hard to eat healthy and exercise consistently, and yet... Here I sit, needed to go down closer to 35 pounds when just a year ago I was about 25 pounds away.  Why do I let this happen?  It's happened now 3 times. At some point I have to make the mental decision that this is it.  It's not going to be easy, but in the end, it's worth it.  I will be proud of my accomplishment and excited to be where I have wanted to be since I was 15 years old.  

I feel very similarly about my photo business.  It's scary trying to start your own business, especially when you have very little capital to get things moving.  I'm nervous about telling people I'm starting this because I hate to feel like a failure if it doesn't work.  I also don't want people to think I'm just doing this because "everyone is doing it."  I love photography and I love the idea of capturing moments in people's lives.  I'm a history person. I think having these images are important, not only for the people who will enjoy them today, but for future generations who will look back on their families and see where they came from.  But, I'm having a hard time getting going.  I've joined a few groups to help, I've gone to a photography conference, and I'm taking classes when I can afford them, but I'm still having a hard time getting myself out there.  It's not easy, but I know in the end I would be happy doing something I love than doing something I don't.

I need to keep this quote in mind.  Doing nothing is easy.  Doing something is challenging, terrifying.  But the end result is worth all the butterflies and scariness.  When I'm thinking it's too hard or I'm going to fail, I need to remember that in the end, it is worth it.

Eh

is about all I got to say with how things went with this week's weigh-in.  Up more than I would like to admit.  I got a little disheartened after last week's slight gain and it just went down hill quickly.  So, those 8 pounds I wanted gone by Oct. 9?  Yea, I have a feeling most of them will still be around.  Darn it.

Yesterday was my first photo gig.  Non-paying, but it was for the local fire company's 1st Annual Firefighter 5k.  I did their photos for the event - 4.5 hours.  Long morning, but I'm excited I did it.  It was my first real photo gig.  I will spend the week editing photos!  Which is fine with me!

Tomorrow is my interview with the library.  Still have a few things to do for that - iron suit, print resumes, print references, print directions...guess I had more than I thought left to do!  LOL!  It's ok.  It will get done.  Wish me luck though!  I sure could use it.

Excitement

It's been an exciting day around these parts.  I signed up for an on-line photography course, which I have been debating for a few months.  It's offered every so often and I kept blowing it off.  Today, I decided to sign up and try.  If I want to improve what I do, I have to be willing to put my money where my mouth is.  Pretty excited about the possibilities.

I also have been debating sending an email to the local fire company regarding photographing their upcoming fund raiser.  They are putting on the 1st Annual Fire Fighters 5k, which will help them raise money to buy a new fire engine and donate money to the National Fallen Heroes Fund.  Well, I sent an email to the Race Director offering my photography services to them and they accepted!  I will be officially photographing my FIRST event this Saturday morning.  I am SOOOO excited about this.  I'm completely familiar with how 5k races are set up, so I have no qualms about what I should be photographing and where I will need to be.  And since it's a 5 minute drive from the house, it's a win-win in so many ways - the fire company has someone to photograph their first year event and I get professional experience!!  Wow.

The other nice piece of news?  I sent a resume for a part-time job at a local library last week.  Today, I received a call from the HR person stating they received my resume and would I be interested in an interview.  While I have made no qualms about my opinion of going back into fund raising, I realize at this stage, I could use a job.  So, I am going to meet the HR person and the library director on Monday for an interview.  Say a prayer for me that things go well.  I could use it come Monday!

So, it's been a good day.  :-)

Good First Day

Well, I did it.  Got through Day 1.  Phew!  I have a hard time letting go of the bad habits I've sunk back into, so trying to correct them on Day 1 always is a challenge.  And I did it...sorta.  I wasn't 100% perfect, but I was 95% perfect.  That's not bad.  :-)  I drank all my water, yea!  I exercised for 30 minutes (thanks Wii Fit)!  And I was almost on points.  That's where the 5% came in.  I couldn't handle the end of the day.  I ate too much during the day and didn't have much left for the end of the day.  So, I had a 100 calorie pack of pretzel sticks and 5 Hershey Kisses.  Not great, but much better than I've been.  So, Day 1 is in the books and it was a good one. 

I've also been working hard on my photography business.  Came back from the conference in Las Vegas and am so full of ideas and motivation!  I've learned how to add pages to my photo blog, which I am sooo excited about!  I am open for business in a small way.  If you're interested in a photo session, let me know.  I'm up for it, but real advertising will start at the end of the month.  :-)  I have a deadline now and one I'm working really hard towards.  I think this can work.  Woohoo!

Oh, and I bought new running sneakers.  Which implies I should go out and run again.  I say again because the weather in my neck of the woods has been awful for the last month/month and a half.  I can't stand running in the heat. So, I've kinda backed off.  Well, I needed new running shoes, so I headed over to Dick's Sporting Goods and bought a new pair.  Now I feel like I need to get my butt out there.  Which I do, because the Baltimore Marathon Relay is coming up in 59ish days.  The shortest leg is 5.7 miles, which is .7 miles longer than I've ever run before.  And I'm sure I'll get either the 6.3 mile leg or one of the two 7 mile legs.  Guess I should get my butt in gear, huh?

Photography

The photo thing is coming together.  It's about 2 months past when I wanted to get started and I'm still not 100% there, but I am MUCH closer than I was. 

This past Saturday I joined the Scott Kelby Third Annual Photo Walk in Harrisburg.  It was awful temperature wise.  We were all sweating and gross by the end, but I think we got some great photos!  There were 50 people who gathered together to wander the streets of Harrisburg with our cameras.  We started at the Capital Complex, headed down Walnut (I think), then off to Front Street (one side city, one side Susquehanna River).  It was a great day and I'm so glad I went!  If you want to see some photos, you can head over to the photo blog.  I posted a few before and after shots there.

Yesterday, I received my business cards, post cards, and window cling from Vistaprint.  I'm very happy with them.  :-)  They are so cool!  I really can't wait to share my business cards with people.  I feel like this is real now.  I also ordered a cute photography themed business card holder from Etsy.  It's really cute.  I received an email stating it was sent yesterday, so I should have that in a few days.  Yea!

And this all leads up to the photography conference I'm going to in two weeks.  I signed up to attend Skip Cohen's Summer School in Las Vegas.  Yes, I know.  Hard life going to a conference in Las Vegas.  ;-)  I'm really getting excited about the conference and all it will give me.  I'm looking forward to meeting (professional) photographers and getting some tips for when I get back.  I'll have the laptop with me, so I'll be sure to update on the road!

Once back from Vegas, I'm looking forward to advertising and getting my butt OUT THERE.  If you know of anyone who's interested in some family/engagement/generational sessions, let me know!  My schedule is pretty free right now, but I'm hoping that changes soon!

Incredibly Productive Day

Wow.  There are days when I feel like I sit on my butt and do nothing but play on the internet all day.  Then there are days like today.  Phew!  It's been busy!

I received my final proof on my logo for my photography business today.  :-)  Sooo excited about that!

But, I had to give the information I wanted on my stationary.  Which means I had to make a decision on a website.  I had looked in January at companies and templates, but never pulled the trigger.  Well, I decided that if I want this to be real and do it right, I better pull the trigger.  So, I purchased a template, a domain, and hosting through Blu Domain today.  Wow.  This is getting real.  Seriously real.

In other employment news, I was woken up by a phone call from the temp service this morning (before 9:00 a.m.) stating the company they sent my resume to was interested in having me come in for an interview.  So, I go Friday at 10:00 a.m. to interview for a temporary fund raising position in Harrisburg.  Wish me luck!  As much as I'm not really wanting to do fund raising anymore, it will be nice to get out of the house.  And since it's temporary, I don't feel  like I'm selling my soul again.

And it wouldn't be a weekday if I didn't have more educational stuff for you!  A new article is up at examiner.com for your enjoyment.

Pennsylvania's Historical Marker Program

What a day!  I feel so accomplished.  Going to try my new My Fitness Coach 2 Wii workout tonight.  Excited because not only does it have workouts, but it has recipes too.  This should be interesting.

Moving forward

One of this year's goals is to start my own photography business.  I spent a good deal of January doing "research."  I read books, blogs, took an on-line course all in the guise of starting a business.  In reality, it was busy work.  It was for me to say I started preparing to start a business without committing to anything.

Well, I realized that Feb. 1st came around and in reality, I have done nothing to get this thing going.  Sure, I got some great sites to use for various phases of my business.  Sure, I got some tips on my camera skills from the on-line class.  Sure, I know some more about the business end than I did.  The problem was, I HADN'T DONE ANYTHING.  So, last night I plunged ahead.  I contracted with a graphic designed to design a logo for me.  She will do a logo, letterhead, business card and envelope with me obtaining the rights to the images.  It may seem like a little thing, but I had to SPEND money to do that.  It was my first REAL step to starting my business.  I'm not just TALKING about it, I'm DOING something about it. 

So, I received a questionnaire in my email this morning asking me about my businesses and preferences.  In the next 3-6 business days I should see some rough drafts.  Then I get to pick the one I like, tailor it a tad if need be, and I will have my very own, brand-spanking new logo.  Big scary step, but one that had to be done. 

Shortly there will be a logo.  Shortly, I will have business cards and letterhead and envelopes.  Wow.  I'm really doing this.  I'm really starting my own business.  Wow.